Islamic Appraisal of the Causes, Effects and Solution of Substance Abuse Among Muslim Youths in Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue III, March 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186

Islamic Appraisal of the Causes, Effects and Solution of Substance Abuse Among Muslim Youths in Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

^{Dr. Ibrahim M. Yakub, Bara’atu Abdullahi, Rabo Maikeffi
Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria}

Abstract: Youths prefer an autonomous and independent life that is free from adult control, thereby engaging in various delinquent acts like substance abuse, rape, robbery, cultism, hooliganism and vandalism that are dangerous to the home, community, school and the nation at large. The effects of substance abuse among youths has been a stigma of moral decadence, violence, thuggery, assault, madness and murder. This research attempts to provide the Islamic appraisal of the concept of Substance abuse, types, causes, signs, symptoms, effects and solution of substance abuse particularly among the Muslim youths in Nasarawa West Senatorial District of Nasarawa State. The research also tries to find out the level of involvement of Muslim youths in Nasarawa West Senatorial District in substance abuse. The method of data collection was through the use of questionnaires which was distributed to target respondents within the study area which is Nasarawa West Senatorial District of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The result of the investigation shows that 50.36% of the Muslim youths in Nasarawa West Senatorial District are involved in substance abuse in one way or the other. The result also shows the common drugs abused by the Muslim youths in Nasarawa West Senatorial District includes Cigarette, Marijuana (wiwi), Blue, Lara, Farida, Detail, Tutolin with Codeine, Magadone, Tramol etc. This is considered as serious problem because the Muslim youths in Nasarawa West Senatorial District are being prepared to become the future leaders of the State and the nation at large. Recommendations were such as prohibiting the sell as well as identifying the dealers of such substance around Nasarawa West Senatorial District and its environs with the aim of bringing them to face the wrath of the law.

I. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Substance abuse refers to harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. Psychoactive substance use can lead to dependence syndrome – a cluster of behavioral, cognitive and physiological phenomena that develop after repeated substance use and that typically include a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use, persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, a higher priority given to drug use than to other activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical withdrawal state (WHO 2018).
Since the early times, herbs, leaves and plants have been used to heal and control diseases. The use of drugs in itself does not constitute any dangers, because drugs correctly administered have been a blessing. Sambo (20) viewed that “chronic use of substances can cause serious sometimes irreversible damage to youth’s physical and psychological development. The use of drugs could be beneficial or harmful depending on the mode of use. Substance abuse is a major public health problem all over the world. The use and abuse of drug substances by youths have become one of the most disturbing health related phenomena in Nigeria and other parts of the world (NDLEA 17). A Drugs is a substance other that food, water or air that is intentionally applied to or taken into the body in order to produce an effect on the body or mind. In other words, it is an illegal substance that people smoke, drink or inject to give them pleasant or exciting feelings. Drug therefore is any substance which when taken into the body alters the systematic operation the body. It is in view of the above that, Odejide (5,15-20) warned that substance abusers who exhibit symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, behavioral changes, fatigue and loss or increase in appetite should be treated by religious counsellors and medical experts to save them from deadly diseases.

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